Apex English (Ilsan)

Do not walk away from this place....start RUNNING AWAY!!!

Before you accept a position at Apex English Ilsan you should be aware of some things. First thing is the curriculum was designed by HER and you will be given several packets with instructions upon arriving, but not given any actual training. You are expected to plan, teach, make quizzes/exams, prepare special class materials, prepare pages of lecture notes for the novel based classes, grade , etc. EXACTLY as those packets say. If you make a small mistake or deviation due to lack of clear communication or directions or personal teaching style, then you will be blamed and criticized harshly in front of others. This happens even if you are an experienced teacher who has been in Korea for years. Also expect to teach a certain way then suddenly be told you are doing it incorrectly and directed to change according to the whim of management. There is daily criticizing, micromanaging, changing expectations, and gaslighting to go along with all of that. Management is often downright rude and often tends to target foreign teachers in ways that cannot be justified in any culture.

This academy teaches 5th-9th graders so every few months during middle school exams, you will recieve a complicated schedule with very little explanation and again be expected to follow it and keep up with all of your tasks perfectly for about 4-6 weeks. If you do not then there is no leniency and your already high stress levels will inevitably increase when you have to deal with criticism and unreasonable hostility from management.

Additionally, this hagwon has two Korean staff,HER and a relative, and two foreign staff. In less than one year, three foreign staff quit, two pulling midnight runs. If you are being offered a job here then please give serious consideration to what happened to your predecessor and do not believe whatever story you are sold in the interview even if the current teacher tries to persuade you. [redacted]

It is a "prestigious after-school program" because the curriculum is very strenuous for students(leading to frequent dropouts) and the teachers are overworked and seriously underpaid in a highly toxic unprofessional environment that threatens mental health. While the hours are fairly good, it is not worth your mental health and there are far better positions even if it is your first time teaching. Some may be able to handle it and complete a contract but you will be unique if you do. [redacted]

Do not work here if you like a well organized working environment or just being respected as a person. Xxxxxxxxx, and [redacted]. They cannot deal with xxxxxx system of constantly changing schedules and ever increasing workload. At least 2 left this year alone and there are only 2 foreign teaching positions, so that tells you something. Accept at your own risk.